Head of Legal vs General Counsel

Welcome to this month’s edition of Marks Sattin Legal News. Last month, we reflected on the legal market in 2025, and discussed our predictions for 2026 (if you haven’t read it, check it out here!). Our February issue will be addressing the biggest question in the senior legal market right now:

Is there a significant difference between the role of General Counsel and Head of Legal?

This question has been on everyone’s lips for a while, with multiple LinkedIn debates, heated panels, and I’m sure some awkward moments at networking events! 

A bit of housekeeping before we begin - it’s clear that not everyone will agree, but we’d love to hear your thoughts (even if you strongly disagree with anything stated in the article!). If you’re reading this as a Head of Legal, a General Counsel, or just someone aspiring to reach those milestones, please know this is written with respect and a deep appreciation for the fires you consistently put out! 

Now that’s out of the way, let’s discuss each role and their differences!

General Counsel

The General Counsel is often referred to as the biggest “legal” adult in the room! In the majority of organisations, they will sit at the top of the legal pyramid, advise the board, have a direct line into the C-Suite, always expected to know everything about everything (even things that haven’t happened yet), and almost always end up being pulled into every strategic conversation (especially the ones where an “interesting” idea needs to be discussed!). 

The most common question a GC is asked will be, “should we do this?” or “can we do that?”. In short, the GC is very much the legal conscience and hand holder of the company.

To all my GC’s out there, what’s the most out there question you’ve ever been asked? Get in touch!

Head of Legal

The Head of Legal is often described as the operational leader of the legal team itself. They are generally the person who runs the legal team on a day-to-day, manage the workflow and people, and often enlightens everyone in the legal team on the GC’s strategic vision. The HOL ensures the engine room is running efficiently and motivated, and is always the first to know when the business has signed something they shouldn’t have!

We would suggest that if the GC is the Captain, the HOL is the Navigator - ensuring the goals and strategy is followed.

In short, the Head of Legal is definitely the operational backbone of the legal function, ensuring everything runs smoothly internally.

So, are they different roles? 

Yes, except when they are not! There will be multiple legal teams where the Head of Legal is operating as the GC (without the title), and therefore sometimes they are the same, depending on the company. Welcome to the legal profession!

Are the roles different depending on the industry?

Financial Services: you’ll often see both a General Counsel and Head of Legal within larger banks, asset managers, insurers and even trading firms. The GC is seen as the face of the team, whereas the HOL is definitely the engine that keeps everything running! HOL are often seen as the GC in waiting …. but they won’t wait forever!

Commerce & Industry: the titles are often more flexible. The HOL is the GC, the GC is the only lawyer, a Legal Counsel is doing the job of a HOL etc. Why’s this? Because within C&I, the titles follow the culture of the firm, not the structure. For instance, a scale-up might call their first lawyer a GC as it sounds impressive, and a large international business will have a Head of Legal for each country.

Why job title matters

Given that priorities and legal teams are different within every company, does it really matter whether you are given the General Counsel or Head of Legal title? 

The answer is 100% YES! 

Without a doubt it matters as it sends a message. If you have the General Counsel title, it infers you are the General of the ship and the strategic leader of the legal team (the exception to this would be in very large teams where there is a Chief Legal Officer, however that’s a whole other article!), whereas the Head of Legal role infers you are on the operational side of the business, and keeping the legal ship moving in the desired direction.

Title will often shape your career trajectory, perceived seniority inside and outside of the business, the influence you have internally, the conversations you are involved in, and most importantly, your compensation. Therefore, understanding the difference will help you ensure you aren’t underpaid, underappreciated, and are in a business that matches your ambition.

Conclusion

So, to conclude: 

• Is there a difference between a General Counsel and Head of Legal? - Yes, but not always.
• Does industry make a difference? – Definitely, as some industries keep to a strict structure, whilst others operate depending on the culture of the business.
• So when it comes down to it, does title really matter? - Most definitely! And it always should!

Do you think there is a difference? Does the title really matter? - Reach out and share your thoughts! Alternatively, you can read more of our legal content here, browse our legal roles here, or get assistance & advice on a legal role you’re hiring for here.